Some questions! - United Bimmer Community

**the_game969** · 05-13-2007, 09:59 AM

Hi,I'm a young driver and I'm looking to buy my first car.I'm thinking to buy a BMW 318i 1994,1995 or 1996 but I got some few questions to make sure that this car is the right car for me.You should also note that I want to keep this car for max 5 years.I'm looking to buy a 4 door car.

1) Is it good to buy a BMW 318i for 5000-6000$? Knowing that the car has around 200 000 km.I will try to buy less then 200 000 km but it should be around that mark.

2) I'm looking to buy the BMW 318i because it saves money on gas but are there other BMW'S that are economic and can fit my budget?

3) What kind of BMW's uses the most amount of gas and how much does it cost to fill it up?

4) What does bimmer means?

5) How much would insurance cost for a BMW 318i 1994,1995 or 1996.

6) How much should I expect for reparations per year for a 318i?

7) What is better in your opinion,Automatic or manuel? I've never driven manuel but my friend tell's me that manuel makes you enjoy the ride even more.Is a manuel car faster then a automatic?

8) How much would it cost me if I wanted to paint the car? Let's say black...and how much would it cost me to tint my windows black too.

Sorry if you guys had a hard time reading my English.I just want to make sure that my first car is going to be a great ride.Thanks for reading and I hope to get some reply's soon.

**94bmw325i** · 05-13-2007, 11:17 AM

welcome to United!

Well painting a car for a decent job is going to be a lot of dough, at least half of your 5-6k budget so honestly I would try looking for the color you really want to begin with.

Definetely get manual, would be a lot more fun to drive, and when you are not driving hard your gas mileage will be better.

Insurance it depends on your insurance provider partly I have no idea.

I think a manual 325 would get decent gas mileage. Mine is an auto and according to my OBC my average is right around 20 MPG.

For 5-6k I would seriously look into a 325, but thats just me. I have never driven a 318, but I just can't see it being fast enough without a supercharger, or turbo.

Isn't 200,000 KM like 150,000 miles or so? If it is that is a lot, but I dont know if cars cost a lot more whereever you live.

**Chad...** · 05-14-2007, 09:06 PM

1) is that dollars as in US? if so I'd say thats a bit high but like he said I don't know how much shit costs where you live

2) Gas is probly more expensive where you live so a 318i is probly a good choice, although the 325i gets good milage as well. Mybe consider a 323iT?

3) The BMWs in your budget that use the most gas would be the bigger, V8 models such as the 540i, 740i. I don't know what it costs to fill them up but its probly not cheap.

4) Bimmer is another way of saying BMW.

5) Insurance, I dont know exactly how much or anything but its not high.

6) It all depends on the condition when you buy it and how well you maintain it, oil changes, how hard you drive, and so on. Try to find one with a good history. To be honest, E36 3-series BMWs typically have quite a few problems, and fixing them is expensive.

7) Manual. They are more fun to drive, save gas, and faster, plus they make you look cool.

8) If you want a quality paint job then you will be paying too much for what the car is worth. Window tinting is not that expensive though.

Sorry I can't give you better answers about prices, I just don't know anything about your money. Hope this helps though.

**the_game969** · 05-15-2007, 09:58 PM

Hi,first of all thanks for helping me out! I have a better idea of what I'm looking for but I still got some few questions.By the way...I was talking about canadian dollar and I live at Montreal,Québec!

1) You said that insurance isn't that expensive,can you tell me how much I should be expecting...how much you think that the maximum price should be.

2) Is there a big difference between a 318i and a 325i?

That's about it,thanks again!

**c1apton** · 05-16-2007, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_game969

1) You said that insurance isn't that expensive,can you tell me how much I should be expecting...how much you think that the maximum price should be.

2) Is there a big difference between a 318i and a 325i?

Re: Insurance - call/shop agents in your city - they'll vary from co to co and alot of the cost is dependant on your driving record, the driving habits (for work, school, etc) There's no set $$$ amount that we could offer you.

Re: ques #2 YES there is a big difference mainly 2 cylinders. 318 is a 1.8 4cylinder, the 325 is a 2.5 6cylinder.

DEATH2000 · 05-16-2007, 01:51 PM

My 328i has a 62 litre gas tank. So basiclly thats slightly bigger then a KEG (52ltr). With my gas at $1.15 it costs about $60 to fill up. But i usuually push 450km per tank.

**Anticomma** · 05-17-2007, 12:00 PM

I definetly would not pay 5-6k for a 318 with 200k miles. Is it hooked up by any chance?

If you live around cali, im sure their are some cars at the shop for sell. because we put out leans here and their because some people consent to jobs that they cant afford. And end up not commin through for 3 - 4 months, than boom. The leans put on. anyhow out of subject, if u live in cali. Get at me, im sure i can find you a better car and cheaper.

**the_game969** · 05-30-2007, 05:29 PM

Thanks for the reply but I would like to have more opinions about my main concern,is it good to buy a car that has 200 000 km on it?

Thanks!

**c1apton** · 05-30-2007, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_game969

Thanks for the reply but I would like to have more opinions about my main concern,is it good to buy a car that has 200 000 km on it?

Thanks!

That's a tough & broad question. Variables like what kind of shape it's in, maintence records and a good physical inspection is the only refs anyone has. If you have doubts have a good tech inspect for you.

**Chad...** · 05-31-2007, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_game969

Thanks for the reply but I would like to have more opinions about my main concern,is it good to buy a car that has 200 000 km on it?

Thanks!

If your not certain of the cars history, its really a gamble. Maintinence records are always a huge plus, and if typical E36 problems have been tended to then you won't have to worry about them going out on you.

nick_318is · 05-31-2007, 08:56 PM

Sorry to do it but I have to, go find an e30 318is (1991 model year) they have the same engine as the e36 318 and weigh less and are a hell of a lot of fun. You can probably find one for 2500ish-3500(in good condition). Find one that was well cared for and continue to care for it and it will keep on trucking. Welcome to ub.c